Is localism on the march? It’s early days, but a letter (inset) in today’s Telegraph suggests parishioners where I live are less willing to be told what is good for them! There seems to be a growing determination to get stuck into planning at the strategic stage. In the past most people took little notice until planning applications arrived at the end of their streets.

It’s all a bit disconcerting for council officers who are used to the public responding to their pre-determined and sometimes loaded questionnaires. In Stansted we have residents who are asking the questions before they have been invited. Goodness me; what next! We councillors must adapt pretty fast!

Councils are used to stitching up the answers behind closed doors and then foisting them on a docile electorate after a meaningless, so-called consultation. The edifice began to crumble four years ago after a new town bombshell that is now in its death throes. We’ve recently had a sham consultation on garden waste recycling that has resulted in the same Telegraph accusing Uttlesford of taxing by stealth. That scheme will probably decompose next spring.

Meanwhile, another consultation is due on planning – the LDF – in January. I sense a growing band of local people won’t put up with anything that looks like a stitch-up. The council has to demonstrate that it will truly listen to the embracers of localism; not just go along with a small group of councillors. Solomon, where are you?